Lamp actuator and housing assembly in the form of a candle snuffer



p 1967 H M. GOODMAN I 3,341,677

LAMP ACTUATOR AND HOUSING ASSEMBLY IN THE FORM OF A CANDLE SNUFFER Filed Feb. 18, 1966 INVENTOR HAROLD M. GOODMAN United States Patent 3,341,677 LAMP ACTUATQR AND HOUSING ASSEMBLY IN THE FORM OF A CANDLE SNUEFER Harold M. Goodman, 1519 Westwood Ave., Richmond, Va. 23227 Filed Feb. 18, 1966, Ser. No. 531,326 1 Claim. (Cl. 200-172) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLGSURE The invention is a lamp actuator and housing assembly in the form of a conical candle snuffer with a stem at its apex and a hook on its side. The stem moves freely vertically to actuate a pushbutton switch supported just inside the lower open end of the cone.

My invention relates to a novel lamp actuator and housing in the form of a candle snuffer and is particularly adapted for use on that type of lamp which is a reproduction of the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century candlestands. In this lamp actuator and housing switch the cone of the snufier conceals the pushbutton switch and its wiring while the handle or stem of the snutfer moves in such a manner that when it is pushed downward it will cause the enclosed switch to be activated.

Such a lamp actuator and housing assembly will not mar the appearance of a faithful reproduction of a late eighteenth century candlestand lamp and is of appropriate design in that a snuifer was manipulated on the original old candlestands to extinguish the flame.

Still further objectives of my invention are to provide a lamp actuator and housing assembly that is easy to manufacture and to facilitate easy access to the pushbutton switch for repair or replacement.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, like numerals are used to indicate like parts throughout.

FIGURE 1 is a view in perspective of a lamp actuator and housing assembly in the form of a candle snuffer.

FIGURE 2 is an elevation with part in section of a floor lamp utilizing the lamp actuator and housing assembly.

FIGURE 3 is a central view of the lamp actuator and housing assembly and a portion of the lamp stand and a cross section of the lamp cross bar.

Referring in detail to the drawing, the numeral 11 indicates a stem that moves freely vertically through aperture 25 in the apex of sheet metal cone 12 which is open at the bottom and houses a pushbutton switch 17 and actuator assembly which will be described in detail later. The come 12 is secured to lamp cross bar 14 by soldering, spot welding, riveting or fastening by means of bolts or screws at point 15 in such a manner that an aperture 16 in said cone is aligned with one in the lamp cross bar 14 so as to allow the wires 18 from a pushbutton switch 17 to be connected in the supply line 19 to the candle sockets 10. A hook 20 is soldered or Welded to the cone 12 and passes through a hole 13 in cross bar 14 thus completing the design and aiding in securing said cone to the cross bar 14 as well.

The pushbutton switch 17 is secured by means of a coupling 21 to the threaded brass tube 22 which provides a channel for the free movement of the stem 11. Stem 11 has an enlarged tip 23 that enables it to make adequate contact with pushbutton 24 so that when said stem is pushed downward it will activate the pushbutton switch 17. The enlarged tip 23 also prevents stem 11 from being Withdrawn completely from the cone 12 at its apex aperture 25 and is kept in constant contact with pushbutton 24 by the force of gravity. The Weight of stem 11 enlarged end 23, and ball tip 30 are accurately calculated and proportioned to the recoil force of the pushbutton switch 17, so as to permit proper cycling of the switch action and at the same time to avoid any undesired degree of free play of said stem.

The threaded brass tubing 22 is wedged inside cone 12 near its apex at point 26 and secured near its lower end by means of soldering, welding, threading or other suitable fastening device 27 to disc 31 which is in turn soldered, riveted or welded at its periphery to the inside of the snulfer cone 28.

The coupling 21 is then threaded onto the tubing 22 and the neck 29 of the pushbutton switch 17 is threaded into said coupling, this being the only means of support for the pushbutton switch 17, thus providing ease of installation and removal.

From the foregoing it is apparent that finger tip pressure at the ball tip of the snuffer stem 30 in a downward direction will activate the pushbutton switch 17. The stem 11 with its enlarged end 23 and ball tip 30 is of such weight that it will regain its original position after finger tip pressure is released because of the recoil force of the pushbutton switch 17.

It is apparent that a rotary type switch may be substituted for the pushbutton switch 17 and that it would follow that activation of such a switch would be accomplished by a rotation of the snulfer stem 11 subject to a satisfactory coupling between said stem and pushbutton switch 17.

The description above is for illustration and it is understood that modification may be made in construction in the scope and spirit of the following claim.

I claim:

A lamp actuator and housing in the form of a candle snuffer comprising a sheet metal cone shaped housing concealing a pushbutton switch and its wiring, a stem freely movable vertically to actuate said pushbutton switch, said stem having an enlarged portion on its lower end for insuring stability and of a predetermined weight to provide constant contact with the pushbutton switch, and yet easily elevated from its depressed position by the recoil force of the pushbutton switch and its upper and extending through an aperture in the apex of said housing and terminating in a ball tip, a tube secured within said housing along its central axis forming a channel for the stern and supporting the pushbutton switch by means of a coupling and a hook attached to the outside of said housing for securing said assembly to a lamp stand.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,692,973 10/1954 Asaif 200-172 2,807,691 9/1957 Sorenson 200-172 2,931,878 4/ 1960 Eisenberg 200-172 3,144,537 8/1964 Kiwi 200-153 ROBERT K. SCHAEFER, Primary Examiner. H. O. JONES, Assistant Examiner. 

